CHART THE FUTURE FOR GROWTH
CHART THE FUTURE FOR GROWTH
BY IAN MCGAUGHEY, SOMERTON CITY MANAGER
SAY THE WORDS “Municipal General Plan” and for many people their eyes get heavy and they feel a nap coming on. But wait … before you turn the page, it’s important to remember just how critical long-term planning is to any organization, and the major impact it can have on successful economic and community development in a city.
“A General Plan is essentially a roadmap for a city,” Somerton Community Development Director Carmen Juarez said. “The plan discusses the city’s goals, policies, and implementation actions regarding future development. It’s a major, impactful, living document.”
Arizona requires that cities and towns update their General Plans every 10 years. In Somerton, that means voters will be asked to approve an updated General Plan already in development.
“Because it’s such a vital document, the research, planning and development process for the update takes more than a year,” Juarez said. “We’ve already begun the process including public participation opportunities so we’re ready to provide a comprehensive plan to voters
next November.”
The General Plan encompasses all aspects of the city, and resident input is a key factor in determining what gets priority. “Do people want more parks? Better roads? More businesses? Public safety? This is the information we need to gather from our residents to complete this updated document,” Juarez said.
Somerton has held public input sessions and facilitated an online survey to gather information. Public involvement opportunities will continue throughout the process. “Since it will be used for the next 10 years, it’s extremely important to us that as many residents get involved as possible,” Juarez said.
Somerton Economic Development Director Hector Tapia says the General Plan update will play a major role in shaping the business climate for the city. “The plan will lay the groundwork for how the city develops and maintains an economically healthy community,” he said. “It will be the guide for the next decade on the balance between employment opportunities and housing, attracting and retaining businesses that are beneficial to the community, and how the city maintains fiscal stability.”
Tapia noted recent efforts by the city to promote its local businesses. “Do residents want more small, local businesses in Somerton, or do they want larger, national chain operations here? Those are the questions we ask when shaping this document.”
Tapia likened economic development to the fuel needed to run the city’s engine. “Economic development provides for our city’s fiscal strength, and the General Plan is the map that guides the city in how to best obtain that fuel,” Tapia said.
Residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for public input sessions announced in the newspaper, online and in fliers distributed throughout the city.
“Now is the time to provide your input,” Juarez said. “Once adopted, we’re living with this document for the next 10 years. That’s why it’s so important to get involved now.”